This one didn’t quite do it for me. While I loved the richness of the descriptions there was a soul that was missing for me. It took me a while to get connected, then I would lose the connection and the pattern repeated itself.

This is the story of the murder of Lord William Russell in the 1840s, the man who admitted to and was found guilty of the crime, and the sensational novelization of a criminal that allegedly motivated the crime. A lot of facts on the case are presented as well as the responses of notable literary figures (e.g. Dickens and Thackeray) who were fascinated by the crime. Here, the reader finds one example of the common belief that the content of “immoral” books can lead to bad behavior. The author provides a look at the popular “entertainment” of true crime in a “just the facts” manner that was a bit slow to read but interesting nonetheless.

A bit lackluster for me. The connection between the murder and the literature was disjointed for too long and the end was rushed. I had a hard time getting really invested in the people’s lives, a critical absence for a true crime book.

Fascinating look into the early development of popular media and it's interaction with the society. In the years before the murder new printing methods had made books cheap and abundant, the novel form was on the rise, and suddenly everyone was reading. The authorities became concerned that sensationalist stories inspiring copycat murders. Along comes the murder of a prominent member of the elites they seem to have the proof. Very relevant in our current context where these interactions are evolving quickly. The underlying story of the murder is a good example of the way organizational pressures and low professionalism result in diminished or missing justice. Good topic but reads a little on the slow side.

This title is a fascinatingly detailed account of an investigation that held Victorian London in thrall. From the publisher: On a spring morning in 1840, on an ultra-respectable Mayfair street, a household of servants awoke to discover that their unobtrusive master, Lord William Russell, was lying in bed with his throat cut so deeply that the head was almost severed. The whole of London, from monarch to maidservants, was scandalized by the unfolding drama of such a shocking murder, but behind it was another story, a work of fiction. For when the culprit eventually confessed, he claimed his actions were the direct result of reading the best-selling crime-novel of the day.
This latter revelation begs the question: can a work of literary fiction have an adverse effect on real life, or, in modern terms, how does the media impact human behavior?
It's clear that the author extensively researched this case; the uncovering of evidence is compelling, although some portions of this relatively short book drag a bit. It's not a murder mystery, which may put off some initially interested readers. Still, those with an interest in the Victorian era and true crime may find it engaging.
I received an advance reader copy of this title from NetGalley and the publisher; this is my honest review.

In Murder by the Book, Claire Harman explores a horrific Victorian England crime that captivated the country. In 1840, Lord William Russell, a well-to-do senior citizen, was found nearly decapitated in his bed at his London residence. The hunt for the murderer focused heavily on Russell’s servants and finally yielded a confession from his valet, a Swiss national named Francois Benjamin Courvoisier. Courvoisier admitted guilt, but his testimony was often conflicting and although he was ultimately sent to the gallows for the crime, there has been doubt as to whether or not he was the actual murderer, or if so, did he have an accomplice?

Harman’s book doesn’t only focus on the murder, but also puts the crime in context of other events during the era. Much as there is a current trend for blaming video games, music, and movies for violence in our society, there was a similar situation occurring in Victorian England. In the mid 1800’s, people were captivated by crime novels. There was a popular book genre called the “Newgate Novel.” Named for the infamous Newgate prison ( where Courvoisier was held and hung), the novels romanticized criminals.

In particular, there was one Newgate Novel that rose to controversy with the murder of Russell: Jack Sheppard. Written by William Harrison Ainsworth, Jack Sheppard, is the true crime tale that Courvoisier claims gave him the idea to murder Russell. Jack Sheppard was a huge part of pop-culture, which beyond the book, also was told through multiple stage plays, may of which were an inexpensive form of entertainment that all segments of society could enjoy and did so, by seeing the productions multiple times. The idea of a servant turning on their employees, especially in such a brutal fashion, was a panic at the time and led to even more criticism of Jack Sheppard and the Newgate Novel genre.

Other famous authors, like Charles Dickens and William Makepeace Thackeray, closely followed the Courvoisier trial. Dickens in particular became a strong opponent of public hangings, his thought being that the damage done by the public witnessing an execution, is greater than its act as a deterrent against criminal behavior. He witnessed Courvoisier’s execution and used his writings to speak out against the act. The last public hanging in the United Kingdom would occur just a few decades later. The way Harman describes the festival atmosphere around the execution is chilling.

A very interesting fact that Harman mentions is that a doctor wrote to Scotland Yard with an idea that finger prints might be used to identify the true murderer. This was before finger printing was used and the idea was dismissed, not be used until fifty years later. Harman mentions that had finger printing had been around, other Victorian era crimes, such as Jack the Ripper, might have been solved.

Murder by the Book took me about 1/3 to really feel invested in the story, but as soon as I reached that point, I couldn’t put it down. The crime is shocking, but the real fascinating element is how the crime informed public debate over art and social policy, such as executions. Violence has always been part of culture and art has always included violence, making this shocking case from 1840, just as relevant in today’s conversation. Does glorifying violence lead to violence? I don’t advocate censorship or banning art, but somewhere in all of this there does seem to be a problem that has been occurring for generations. I think mental health is likely the missing puzzle piece and by his own admittance, Courvoisier claimed to have been in a rage. At the time Phrenology, the pseudoscience of studying skull shapes to analyze mental traits, was all the rage. Of course now, Phrenology is not only disproven, but also associated with racism and the goal of proving superiority with certain races. However, it is interesting to note that even if the Victorians were on the wrong track with Phrenology, the idea of exploring mental imbalance and its association with violent behavior was of importance.

Harman’s book leaves the reader with much to consider and would be a great pick for book clubs or classrooms. It’s great for true crime enthusiasts and history buffs, as well for lovers of Victorian England authors. Murder by the Book is a compelling read for people who can handle the gory details!

I was prepared to love everything about Murder by the Book: true crime, Victorian England, and the rise of the novel.
Unfortunately, I found my attention wandering as I worked my way through the book. The various elements never came together in a cohesive way for me.
I appreciate the rigorous research undertaken by the author, and think that many people will find Murder by the Book is their cup of tea.

"From the acclaimed biographer - the fascinating, little-known story of a Victorian-era murder that rocked literary London, leading Charles Dickens, William Thackeray, and Queen Victoria herself to wonder: Can a novel kill?

In May 1840, Lord William Russell, well known in London's highest social circles, was found with his throat cut. The brutal murder had the whole city talking. The police suspected Russell's valet, Courvoisier, but the evidence was weak. The missing clue, it turned out, lay in the unlikeliest place: what Courvoisier had been reading. In the years just before the murder, new printing methods had made books cheap and abundant, the novel form was on the rise, and suddenly everyone was reading. The best-selling titles were the most sensational true-crime stories. Even Dickens and Thackeray, both at the beginning of their careers, fell under the spell of these tales - Dickens publicly admiring them, Thackeray rejecting them. One such phenomenon was William Harrison Ainsworth's Jack Sheppard, the story of an unrepentant criminal who escaped the gallows time and again. When Lord William's murderer finally confessed his guilt, he would cite this novel in his defense. Murder By the Book combines this thrilling true-crime story with an illuminating account of the rise of the novel form and the battle for its early soul among the most famous writers of the time. It is superbly researched, vividly written, and captivating from first to last."

If you've finished watching the recent season of Victoria and love the time period but thought the show could use some murder, this book is for you!

MURDER BY THE BOOK

THE CRIME THAT SHOCKED DICKENS’S LONDON

BY CLAIRE HARMAN

KNOPF DOUBLEDAY PUBLISHING GROUP

KNOPF

TRUE CRIME

PUB DATE 26 MAR 2019





I am reviewing a copy of Murder by the Book through Knopf and Netgalley:





In May 1940 Lord William Russel was well known in London’s Highest Social Circles. The brutal murder had the entire city talking. The police suspected Russell’s valet, Courvoisier, but the evidence wasn’t really there to convict him. The missing clue was found in the unlikeliest place: the book Courvoisier had been reading. In the years before the murder, advances in the printing methods had made books cheap and abundant, the novel form was on the rise, and now everyone was reading. The best-selling titles were the most sensational true-crime stories. Even Dickens and Thackeray, both at the beginning of their careers, fell under the spell of these tales–Dickens publicly admiring them, Thackeray rejecting them. One such phenomenon was William Harrison Ainsworth’s Jack Sheppard, the story of an unrepentant criminal who escaped the gallows time and again. When Lord William’s murderer finally confessed his guilt, he would cite this novel in his defense.



If you’re looking for a gripping historical true crime story, I’d highly recommend Murder By the Book five out of five stars!





Happy Reading!

I thought the title would be my cup of tea. I love historical fiction, mystery, and books. I always wondered what the history of the novel. It starts out with a murder. Then goes on the making and the start of the actual novel. Which I did find interesting. But the two just didn't jell together to my taste. I really wanted to enjoy reading. But, unfortunately, I couldn't get into the book. Thank you, from the publisher for allowing me to review.

I wanted to like this one more than I actually did - the writing was clear, compelling, and descriptive, and I did learn a lot about the popular fiction landscape of the day, but I felt the "literary" aspects were really shoehorned in. The author clearly wanted to put Dickens and Thackeray in, even though they were only tangentially related, and that felt rather disconnected. I also didn't exactly want a longer book, but at the same time it felt kind of short.

This book is set in 1840’s London and starts out discussing the murder of Lord William Russell in his Norfolk Street home after he retires to bed for the night to do some reading. He is found the next morning by his servant with his head gaping open from the blow of an ax which has been left nearby. There is evidence of coins and a watch taken, among other things. Lord William had previously complained of a locket with his late wife’s picture inside going missing, that he carried all the time. A doctor is sent for, along with the police, and an investigation is begun. There is also a running commentary with certain authors of the day such as William Ainsworth and Charles Dickens about a couple of their books involving criminal characters, and whether or not they encourage people to commit crimes after reading the books or seeing them acted in plays, as some folks have claimed. Kind of like the debate about violent movies and video games today, and whether they play a part in people committing crimes later after viewing them.

The book is very detailed and gives a lot of connected side information to kind of flesh out the story from just the actual murder. There is also a lot of supposition of various ways the crime might have happened, and who else might have been involved also. It turned out to be a decent true crime book for this time period. My thanks for the advance electronic copy that was provided by NetGalley, author Claire Harman, and the publisher for my fair review.

RATED: 3.5/5 Stars